The Boyz cover concert costs amid legal battle with One Hundred Label
Boy group The Boyz / Courtesy of One Hundred Label
The Boyz members pay own staff and rehearsal fees to honor fan commitment
Nine members of K-pop group The Boyz said they would proceed with the group’s ninth anniversary concert as planned even while seeking to terminate their exclusive contracts with One Hundred Label.
Concert preparations and fan commitment
The group is scheduled to hold its "INTER-ZECTION" concert at KSPO Dome in Seoul from April 24-26. The members decided to cover some of the concert preparation costs themselves, including rehearsal space rentals and staff pay, to keep their promise to fans. Some media reported some members even used personal vehicles after the agency allegedly halted transportation support.
One Hundred Label said the members are funding the preparations but said the artists actively refused the agency's continued offers of vehicles, managers and rehearsal spaces.
Core allegations and disputes
The conflict has cast uncertainty over the group’s future activities. Nine members, excluding member New, notified One Hundred Label through their legal representative that they are terminating their exclusive contracts. They cited a complete breakdown of trust and severe breaches of contract.
The Boyz said the agency has failed to issue settlement payments since the second quarter of 2025 and denied their requests to access settlement data without justification.
The members also said the agency received tens of billions of won in advance payments without compensating the artists, while consistently neglecting basic management duties and delaying payments to staff for months.
Agency defense and operating deficit
One Hundred Label immediately rejected the termination notice. The agency said it paid large signing bonuses under the condition that all members would maintain group activities, a premise it said was disrupted by member controversies and withdrawals.
The label also denied allegations of delaying essential payments, dismissing the claim as baseless and adding that it has supported the group while operating at a loss.
The Boyz' "INTER-ZECTION" concert poster / Captured from The Boyz' official social media
Future group activities and industry impact
The Boyz transferred to One Hundred Label in December 2024. While New chose to remain with the agency, the remaining nine members said they respect his decision and will work together to determine the best direction for the team.
Industry insiders said a prolonged legal dispute could severely restrict the group's previously scheduled activities, even if the members attempt to promote independently.
Fans continue to support The Boyz as the members self-fund the anniversary show to honor their commitment despite facing a significant career challenge. Industry observers are watching to see if the group can navigate the legal standoff and establish a new path forward.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.